Environmental laboratories routinely evaluate VOCs in water via P&T GC-MS analysis. Because of the sensitivity of this method, it is critical that water used to prepare blanks, standards, and dilute samples be free of the VOCs to be analyzed. After purification by Milli-Q® water purification systems and a point-of-use VOC-Pak® cartridge, product water is free of any compounds that could interfere with P&T GC-MS analysis of VOC levels.

As most purified laboratory water starts from tap water, this application note explores the presence of volatile organic compounds in tap water, how they could influence the production of ultrapure water for GC–MS, and explains purification techniques to minimize this impact.